Section 1018 of Public Law 116-315, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, adds new requirements for educational institutions participating in the educational assistance programs of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These new provisions became effective June 15, 2021 and apply to Institutions of Higher Learning and Non-College Degree institutions beginning August 1, 2021. Many of the requirements are consistent with the requirements of the Principles of Excellence, currently in Executive Order 13607; however, there are requirements in addition to those embodied in the Principles of Excellence which schools must also satisfy to maintain approval for GI Bill® participation.
Universities will provide financial information to students using benefits under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of title 38,U.S.C.,or chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S.C. with a College Financing Plan (personalized shopping sheet) that contains:
Estimated total cost of the course that includes tuition, fees, books, supplies and any other additional costs.
What does Cost of Attendance mean?
Cost of Attendance is also known as the budget. Federal regulation requires the financial aid office to provide cost of attendance budget for students applying for federal financial aid. The cost of attendance budget contains the tuition, fees, room, board, transportation, books and personal items. For students living on campus the tuition, fees, room, and board are the actual costs to attend Mississippi College. The other items on the list are estimated costs (realistic allowances for items such as transportation and personal expenses) for which the student is not directly billed for nor do they not actually pay our institution for these items. They are put in the budget, so a student may be able to receive financial aid to offset some of the costs.
Cost of Attendance Budget: This information is provided to assist students and families with financial planning. We include both direct costs (billed by and paid directly to MC) and indirect costs (not billed by and paid directly to MC). Students have this information available to them on their financial aid offer. Additionally, students' College Financing Plan, located in their Banner account under the Financial Aid section, gives a personalized Shopping Sheet outlining specific expenses and awards for each student.
The estimated budget for each student is based on tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and other costs associated with attending the university. This is only an estimate. A student’s actual costs may vary based on their preferences for housing, meal plans, and other variables.
The Net Price Calculator can be used to determine an estimated financial aid award and costs for your attendance at Mississippi College. In addition, all potential students can also find information on basic estimates and how financial aid determines a Cost of Attendance by visiting their site.
Estimated Cost of Housing/Living Expenses: Cost of Attendance
A full explanation of tuition and fees is available on the Business Office website. The total cost of attendance is determined annually by the Office of Financial Aid and includes:
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Tuition and fees payable to the institution
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Books and supplies
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Room and board
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Personal costs, transportation
Estimates of future costs and aid eligibility are subject to change based on factors that cannot be reliably predicted. Unforeseeable variables could result in a student’s actual costs and aid eligibility being higher or lower than program-length estimates provided.
Other types of Federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution, that the individual may be qualified to receive.
Students can use these resources to estimate costs prior to attendance.
Amount of costs covered by VA Education Benefits:
These amounts differ between the different benefit chapters. The Department of Veteran Affairs makes the determination of the eligibility as well as amounts the student will receive, not MC. For the latest information on annual approved rates visit VA Rate Tables.
USE THE GI Bill® COMPARISON TOOL TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHICH EDUCATION PROGRAM AND SCHOOL IS BEST FOR YOU. HTTPS://WWW.VA.GOV/GI-BILL-COMPARISON-TOOL
Type and amount of Federal financial aid, not administered by the VA as well as any financial aid offered by the institution, that the student may be qualified to receive:
MC is approved to participate in the following Title IV federal aid programs; Pell Grant, Family Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Loans, and the Federal Work Study Program. MC also participates in State of Mississippi programs and has institutional aid available. Explore different information for these resources on our Financial Aid webpage.
Estimated amount of student loan debt the student would have upon graduation:
This information can be estimated using the Mississippi College Net Price Calculator. Students are able to view their Direct Federal loan balances and Federal loan servicer at the National Student Loan Data System.
Resources we provide to assist with managing student loan debt, prior to and after it has been incurred are:
Excellent resource: Financial Literacy Guidance from Federal Student Aid
Information regarding graduation rates:
This information is available annually in our Institutional Data section of our website.
Information regarding the acceptance of transfer credits including military credits:
The information regarding MC’s acceptance of transfer credits is located in our Academic Catalog.
Any additional requirements including training, experience, or examinations that are required to obtain a license, certification or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation.
Any additional credential or license is available in our annual Academic Catalog listed for each program of study applicable to such requirements.
Other information to facilitate comparison by the individual about aid packages offered by different educational institutions:
For students to compare MC to other educational institutions feel free to visit the following websites:
US Department of Education College Scoreboard
SCHOOLS MUST MAINTAIN POLICIES THAT:
Inform an enrolled covered individual of the availability of federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution.
All students, regardless of their ability to pay, are highly encouraged to complete a FAFSA. Additionally, information about the types of aid available to Mississippi College students is posted on the Financial Aid Home Page.
Alert the individual of the potential eligibility for other federal financial aid before packaging or arranging student loans or alternative financing.
Initially, Mississippi College students will receive an updated scholarship letter with an estimated award based upon the info provided on the Net Price Calculator. Accepted students are required to complete the FAFSA in order to secure the additional EFC-based award. Find out more about our scholarship system here: http://www.mc.edu/scholarships.
Types of loans available through Mississippi College are:
Federal Direct Student Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
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Subsidized Direct Loans are based upon financial need. Interest is not charged while the student is enrolled at least half-time, i.e. six credit hours in the fall or spring and three credit hours in the summer. Students are required to enroll at least half-time and make satisfactory academic progress toward a certificate or degree program. The 21-22 academic year interest rate is fixed at 3.73% and repayment of the loan begins six months after the student ceases to pursue at least six credit hours at an institution of higher education.
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Unsubsidized Direct Loans are not based upon financial need and the student borrower is responsible for interest accrued while in school and during deferment periods for this type of loan. The current (2021-22) interest rate is fixed at 3.73% and repayment of the principal loan amount begins six months after the student ceases to pursue at least six credit hours at an institution of higher education.
MC students are limited for the amount that can be borrowed during their years of attendance for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Detailed information can be found here on our website.
Prohibit automatic renewal of a covered individual in a course and/or programs. Ensure each covered individual approves of the enrollment in a course.
Mississippi College requires students to apply to be admitted to a program. Once admitted, the student must enroll and, once enrolled, the student is able to continuously enroll unless he/she requests to withdraw or ceases to enroll in future terms.
Allow enrolled members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components and National Guard to be readmitted if such members are temporarily unavailable or must suspend enrollment by reason of serving in the Armed Forces. Accommodate short absences for such services in the Armed Forces.
Recognizing our student soldiers may be called into service and duty, Mississippi College is committed to working with each individual’s unique situation with the timing of their departure taken into account for the best possible option for them.
In the event that an active service member of the uniformed services attending Mississippi College is unable to attend for reasons related to military service, the servicemember may readmit with the same "academic status" as the student had when he or she last attended or was accepted to Mississippi College. Soldiers are requested to notify the Office of the Registrar of their military service leave, as well as intention to return.
Schools must provide covered individuals with the requirements for graduation and a graduation timeline.
All students are provided graduation requirements and timelines. General requirements are outlined within the Mississippi College catalog.
Accredited education institutions agree to obtain approval of the respective accrediting agency for each new course or program.
Mississippi College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, education specialists, and doctorates.
Mississippi College is authorized by the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (MCCA) to offer and award post secondary academic degrees.
In addition to accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Mississippi College is accredited by, approved by, or holds membership in the following disciplinary bodies:
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Accreditation Review Commission on Education for The Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
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American Bar Association (ABA)
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American Chemical Society (ACS)
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Association of American Law Schools (AALS)
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Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
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Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
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Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
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Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)
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Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
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Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
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Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
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International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
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International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC)
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Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL)
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National Association for The Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
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National Association of Schools of Music
For more information on Mississippi College accreditation, go HERE.
Schools must designate an employee of the educational institution to serve as a point of contact for covered individuals and family members seeking assistance with:
Academic Counseling – Each student is assigned a Mississippi College Academic Advisors that are members of each program’s school of learning specific to each student’s degree program. For individual contact information, please refer to our website’s search tool to seek out a program’s department listings. Academic Advisor inquiries can be directed to each department’s Administrative Assistant.
Financial Counseling – Financial Aid Advisor Appointments can be made for each students’ individual counseling needs.
Disability Counseling – Mississippi College Student Counseling and Disability Services Administrative Assistant, Rebecca Porter 601-925-7790
After-Hours Crisis Line: Call Campus Security at 601-925-3204 for the on-call counselor.
Other information regarding completing a course of education at the education institution. – Mississippi College Financial Academic Advisors and Financial Aid Advisors and Specialists.
The MC Law Veterans Legal Aid Clinic is available to provide legal support to Veterans and eligible family members on a wide range of issues.
Veterans, dependents, and their families may contact Mississippi College’s Veteran Benefit School Certifying Official as an initial Point of Contact. Students may be referred to other university offices as needed for specific issues:
